WHAT: The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre will be shining brightly in rainbow colours and the stars will be out to champion lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights at this year’s commemoration of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT). Deputy Governor Dr Pusadee Tamthai will celebrate the BMA’s vision of Bangkok as a “City of Diversity” by opening the official commemoration ceremony, followed by a performance by pop sensations Balla and Juno from The Voice.

The official ceremony will cap off a day of events aimed at creatively engaging LGBTI community members and the general public in the importance of action against homophobia, transphobia and biphobia. Unity in diversity will be the theme as the BMA, UNESCO and partners will welcome a broad cross section of allies in championing LGBTI rights, including private sector partners, civil society groups and NGOs, ambassadors, members of the culture and arts community and more.

1-5pm: Get creative and express your thoughts on LGBTI rights and the power of art to combat discrimination through these three fun do-it-yourself activities:“Young Rainbow Do It Yourself T-shirt Workshop”: Have a slogan that captures the spirit of IDAHOT or a thought you’d like to express on LGBTI rights? Share it by wearing it as you design your own T-shirt in this workshop."Diversity is beautiful: a public art project": Members of the LGBTI community and the general public can come to appreciate the therapeutic nature of art through self-expression using materials provided.DIY Say it With Lights: Shine your own light for LGBTI rights as part of this fun DIY activity. We’ll provide you with the bits and pieces needed to colourful floral handheld lights that you can then wave as the sun goes down and the evening’s entertainment commences. Kids will love this fun activity, so bring them along!

5-5.30pm: Piano performance by Remi Namptep: Remi is a member of the transgender community, an award-winning pianist and currently a lecturer at Payap University’s Music Academy in Chiang Mai.

5.30-6pm:Community performances from Bangkok Rainbow, SWING and the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand.

6-9pm: Official commemoration: Deputy Bangkok Governor Pusadee Tamthai will open the official ceremony to commemorate IDAHOT, along with UNESCO Bangkok Director Gwang-Jo Kim. Prominent Thai TV star Meesuk Jangmeesuk will then be the master of ceremonies for what is sure to be an unforgettable series of performances from the dazzling acrobats of the Rainbow All Boy Cheerleading Team, Mimosa Pattaya and headliners, Balla & Juno from The Voice.

WHERE: The event will take place in front of the “We Are Rainbow” light installation in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 939 Rama 1 Rd, Pathum Wan (National Stadium BTS) Map: http://goo.gl/JCkZP2 ­

WHO: The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as well as more than 20 UN agencies, development and Thai civil society organisations and commercial partners have been participating in IDAHOT-related events throughout the week as well as the official commemoration.

BACKGROUND: The International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is commemorated every year on 17 May in more than 100 countries in every region of the world to champion LGBTI rights and combat discrimination. The day was created in 2004 and the 17th of May was chosen because it was on this day in 1990 that the World Health Organization first decided to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. LGBTI youth are the focus of this year’s IDAHOT. This year IDAHOT in Thailand has been commemorated by a series of events at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre from 12-19 May: http://en.idahotthailand.org/events/